Ducky, the Last Dog.

Yesterday was an imporant day for another reason, albeit an incredibly saddening one. Yesterday was my last day volunteering at the Capital Area Humane Society, and this pup named Ducky was my last walking partner. He's the last shelter dog I'll be walking for a while, so I wanted to dedicate this post to him.

As I do with all the dogs, I took Ducky on the trail through the woods and around the pond, and everything was swell. But then we rounded the bend and reached the halfway point and boy oh boy.... he knew. Ducky knew we were heading back to the shelter, and he wanted no part of it.

When he first stopped and refused to walk any further,  I thought it was because he was hot and tired. So I sat on a bench while he alternately sat and stretched out. Figured I'd give him a break. After resting for a few minutes, I tried to get him going again, but he just wouldn't.  I tried to get him to follow other dogs passing by with their handlers. I tried repeatedly walking some paces ahead of him and crouching down with my arms outstretched to him so he'd come to me. No such luck. At one point I wasn't sure if I'd be able to get him back indoors at all.

It was just my luck that a certain fellow volunteer came by with her son,  walking another dog together. Turns out they had walked Ducky before, and had dealt with that same stubbornness. They saw how much I was struggling and decided to help me, and with some coaxing and pulling and re-routing, we were finally able to get him back in his kennel. On average, walks through the trail only take about 30 minutes. But I had Ducky out for an entire hour, starting and stopping, starting and stopping.

While I'd been sitting on that bench, a male volunteer passing by with another dog revealed to me that Ducky had been adopted a couple weeks ago, but was returned to the shelter for some reason. No matter how excellent the care is, being in a shelter can be incredibly stressful for any dog. And I'm sure being shuffled to a new home and back didn't make things any easier for Ducky, so I can understand his resistance toward returning at the end of his walk. Poor thing. I hope you find a forever home soon, one where you won't ever be reluctant to go back inside because you're scared.

Thanks for the hour's worth of starting and stopping, Ducky! It was a pleasure to have you as my last dog. And thanks to Capital Area Humane Society for the opportunity to come in and walk dogs every week! It's been a blissful, therapeutic, eye-opening year and a half.

For anyone interested in making Ducky (who is very much adoptable!) a part of your family, please see his profile HERE.

Sharpei Sisters!

They had two Sharpei mixes at the shelter today! Big, brown, wrinkly, droopy-looking, squishable, beautiful ever-lovin' Sharpeis! Until today I'd never interacted with this breed before, so I could hardly contain my delight when I saw these lovelies!

Coco

This pair of two-year-old sisters are very much alike but their personalities differ slightly. Coco (pink collar) is very chill and sweet, while Brownie (brown harness) is more energetic and is a bit of an attention hog. In a mixture of excitement and probably stress, Brownie kept prancing around trying to nibble at my hands and my jacket, while Coco enjoyed being petted but was content just to nap in peace. That is, when Brownie wasn't challenging her to a duel of course. They were happy to have company in their kennel, but both of them were fighting sleep toward the end.

As a bonded pair, the shelter would love to see these girls adopted together (adopt one, get the other free!), but it's not a requirement. Anyone interested in Brownie, Coco, or both of these beauties can find their info through the links in their names.

**(UPDATE 4/7)** Both of these beauties got adopted yesterday! No word on if they went to the same home or not. Hopefully they got to stay together, but if not it's still great that they have new homes!

Brownie

Back to the Trails!

Today I went back to the shelter for the first time in two months. The snows have melted, temperatures are more mild, and the ground has had enough time to harden, all of which makes for some pretty pristine early spring dog-walking conditions. I'd been looking forward to it all week!

Today's highlights included a youngster with stiff front legs named Buster. He was more than happy to be taken outside, but once we got out there he decided he wasn't up to going for a walk. It took some serious coaxing just to get him to go around the parking lot, and as soon as we came around he was ready to go back inside. Just wasn't feelin' it, I guess. I don't recall ever interacting with a dog there who didn't want to go for a walk, especially any such as young as Buster. But hey, maybe it just wasn't his day.

Second was a fun-sized brindle hound named Pooh who, I found, absolutely LOVES belly rubs. When I pulled at his collar so I could attach the leash, he thought I was trying to pet him so he just fell out on his back. Just like this, waiting for me to oblige. So I did. He'd been very much eager to be let out when I first stepped into his kennel, but once he thought it was belly-rubbing time, he was suddenly in no rush. For his own personal medical reasons I wasn't allowed to walk him for very long, but for as long as we were able to go he seemed to enjoy every second.

And last but not least of the highlights was a previously over-fed, under-groomed, but no-less-loveable senior girl named Dumpling. Her appearance is very reminiscent of a mop, or a furry roly poly with legs. Though a little scraggly on the outside, Dumpling is very energetic and good-natured. Much like Pooh and unlike Buster, Dumpling was ecstatic about going on her walk. I thought moving would be uncomforable for her due to all that excess hair and weight, but she turned out to be quite the spunky and able-bodied pup.

Pooh and Dumpling have already been adopted, but Buster is still available for those interested! Just click the link in his name for more information!

Miss my Pups!

I miss going to the shelter. Last time I went the trails weren't shoveled or plowed,  so I couldn't really walk any of the dogs. Couple that with the frigid temperatures and harsh winds, and it just hasn't seemed worth the energy driving all the way out there.

It looks like we'll transition out of the teens next week and gradually move on to warmer pastures from the following week on,  so I'm looking forward to returning to the shelter after spring break.

For now,  here's a photo I took during my second to last time there. Don't remember the name of the dog I was walking, but apparently he was friendly. 

Marley the Snowbunny

 

In the middle of our walk this past Saturday, Marley was not impressed.

 

Apparently, walking through snow pales in comparison to repeatedly stop-drop-and -rolling around in it for minutes at a time while your confused handler can do nothing but wait for you to finish.

 

Thank you, Mr. scraggly-looking pup/teddy bear/lion cub for being another dog-walking first for me: a dog who adores snow like none other.

 

Marley is still up for adoption! If you're looking for a beautiful young male who's goofy yet alert and can tough it out through winter snows, check out his profile HERE.



 **(UPDATE 2/3)** Marley found his forever home today! I hope your new family appreciates your quirks. Happy rolling!

Pouty Priscilla

Today was my first day back at CAHS in over a month and it was so refreshing! I'd forgotten how much I love walking dogs!

My favorite walking buddy of the day was this not-so-little lady named Priscilla. I describe her as "pouty" only because with her boxer-like jaw and bulldog-like forehead and eyes, she can't help but look sad and concerned on the outside. She has a natural resting sadface. Also when I first went into her kennel she seemed really tired and overwhelmed, so I almost left her alone so as not to distress her.

But after sitting with her and rubbing her head, neck, and shoulders for a while, it became clear to me that Priscilla's actually very affectionate! She's a big, muscular girl but she's gentle, and she's incredibly mellow for her young age of two years. She's also a recent momma who still has a swollen tummy and teats, so maybe that somewhat accounts for the fatigue. I took her for a walk through the woods and she seemed to be more energetic. Most of the time she would gladly lead the way, but there were a couple of stretches where she insisted on walking beside me. At one point I slipped on the snow and fell on my behind (that's what I get for trying to take a picture of her with my phone and not paying attention. ha!), and she even got in my face as if to see if I was okay. Such a sweet girl!

Priscilla and I had an abbreviated yet pleasant walk, and she's a very special pup (as they all are!). I very much hope that she finds a home soon! If you're interested in adopting Priscilla, check out her profile HERE!

 








PS- The shelter recently implemented a new policy in which they no longer list a breed or estimated breed on he info cards that hang on the door of each dog's kennel. Apparently it's really inaccurate to come to any sort of conclusion based on physical features, and the shelter wants potential adopters to get to know and like the dogs based on how they are individually rather than on what their breed might be. Cool, right? I'd never heard of that before and was wondering if it would cause confusion. I thought, Well aren't people just going to speculate and ask about what breed a dog is anyway, since they probably have a specific one in mind that they want? But today it didn't seem like guests were too concerned about it, so I guess this new system works. So no, I couldn't tell you what Priscilla is, but I know she's a great dog. I guess that's what the shelter was aiming for.

PPS- Check out the pink clouds that I caught during my last walk of the afternoon!



**(UPDATE 1/26)** Priscilla got adopted today! Enjoy your forever home, sweetie-poo!

T-Bone the Gentle Giant

This afternoon I was just passing by the kennels to see which dogs still needed to be taken out, and then I saw him, and I almost cried. He was so beautiful! This is T-Bone, aka the most perfect and handsome gentle giant.

At first glance he might seem to have a very intimidating and off-putting appearance. He's a Pit Bull/American Staffordshire Terrier mix, very stocky and muscular, with clipped ears, intense light eyes and a square blockhead with extremely defined cheek bones. But sometimes an appearance is only that! T-Bone is actually the most patient, attentive, gentle, and handsome boy! He looks you right in the eye when you talk to him, he follows your lead when walking (stops when you stop, goes when you go), he's quiet, and he loves to give kisses! T-Bone may not look it, but he is definitely a people pup.

As I was petting and rubbing him, I could feel scars (bite marks? fight marks?) on his face and arms. I was a little surprised and saddened when I discovered these, but these also made me love him more once I thought about it. To have gone through all that he went through (whatever that happened to be) and to come out of it being so sweet and loving? He's truly a perfect pup.

I've been walking and interacting with dogs at the shelter for over a year now, and T-Bone is the first dog I've ever sincerely wanted to take home with me. But alas, fostering and adopting are not yet my calling. So I'm using this time to gush about him while I can, and I hope that this perfect dog goes to his forever home with a family that deserves him soon.

If you're interested in adopting T-Bone, view his profile here and read the shelter's FB post about him.

Update (11/22)- T-Bone got adopted today! Woo-hoo! Good luck in your new home, not-so-tough guy!

The Odd Couple and the Oinking Dalmatian

At the shelter on Friday I had the pleasure of working with these dogs.

This odd couple: Bert (Yorkie/poodle mix) and Ernie (Pit bull mix)

 

And this heavy-breathing chubby lovely Dalmatian mix, Patches. First time walking a Dalmatian!  

 

Along with four other beautiful canines. 'Twas a good day at the shelter. If you're interested in adopting any of these pups, just click the links in their names. 

Update (11/23)- Patches was adopted on October 30th. Unfortunately the odd couple was split up, as someone adopted Ernie on November 4th. Bert was adopted the next day but was returned to the shelter, but then he was adopted again on the 14th and is now in his forever home as well! Good luck to all the pups!

Kissies from Pitties

And the award for Sloppiest and Most Unexpected Kisses goes to: pitties (pit bulls)!

Was at the shelter for the first time in two weeks today and I got randomly smooched on the mouth by two of them. (Cute but eww. Why do they always go for the mouth?) Rather than getting mauled, getting licked to death is what I have to be careful of most when putting my face too close those of the pit bulls there. You're just trying to play fetch with them or untangle them from their leash, and they don't look too enthused. Like you're boring them or something. But then before you know it they've got their tongues on your face.

We've Got a Swimmer

Today was my first day back at the shelter, and my second walking partner for the afternoon was a 3-year-old  Foxhound/Australian Cattle Dog mix named Jem. As you can see Jem is a very large and strong boy. I  had the pleasure of discovering that he's also impatient and stubborn. If it's not what he wants to do,  you can forget it.

Case in point. Toward the end of our route we pass by the pond, and Jem decides that he wants to swim. But given his strength and enthusiasm I knew that he'd pull me right into the water with him, and I wasn't having that. So I kept tugging at his harness trying to get him to turn around, but he wasn't having that. Then he just laid down in the water and pretended I wasn't there. He would try to wade out further, I'd pull him back, he'd try to buck out of his harness, I'd back off, he'd lay down again. Repeat all. This had to have gone on for at least 10 minutes before we finally got back on track. All these dogs that I've walked over the past year and I had not one swimmer. I guess there's a first time for anything, haha! Sure made for a memorable first day, I'll tell you that.

 

If you think you might be interested in adopting Jem, click here to find more info about him.

My Sassy Girl*

*props to any K-POP/Korean cinema fans who get this reference

Today was a great day at the animal shelter for three reasons:
1) The weather was absolutely beautiful
2) The trails were finally clear of ice and snow
3) I met this lovely dachshund mix named Sassy!



Giving the side eye to passersby

Sassy is very energetic and full of personality, but she really only gets "sassy" with other dogs. With humans, she's a total lovebug. The first time I walked into her kennel, I sat down and she waddled right into my lap and wouldn't budge. I sat with her like this for a while, took her out for a walk, and then came back and sat with her in her kennel some more. As a self-assigned dog walker I try to walk as many dogs as possible during the short time that I'm there, so on a good day I can work with up to 5-8 dogs. Today I only got to 3. I walked two, and then I got to Sassy and I ended up spending so much time with her that before I knew it the shelter was closing. She was just so trusting and adorable that I didn't want to leave her!


Now of course I have breeds that I prefer to work with (hounds and bulldogs/pitbulls), and I take to some dogs more quickly than others when I meet them. But for some reason I get especially attached to the overweight dogs I meet at the shelter. First it was Girdie, and now it's Sassy (who weighs about 50 pounds). Maybe it's because I'm overweight too. It's more than just finding them cute or giggling as I watch them waddle. I see them and think, I feel for you. You might get overlooked because you're not as trim as the others, but pay that no mind. Someone is going to see you and love you and take you home. Until then, we're in this together! I just can't help it. I want to rub them and hug them and walk them and let them know that their chubby bodies are loved as they are.

So yeah, Sassy's my new favorite! I would love to play with her again next week, but I'm also hoping that she'll find a nice forever home between now and then so I won't have to. If anyone's interested in adopting her, you can find her information here.


Update (4/9)- Sassy got adopted yesterday! Enjoy your new home and your new family, lovebug!